Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/302

 The  conversion  of  Solomon. Most of  the  Fathers  of  the  Church are of  opinion  that,  when  troubles  overtook  him  towards  the  close  of his  life,  Solomon  was  converted  and  did  penance,  and  thus  was  not eternally lost.

True happiness.  Towards  the  end  of  his  life  Solomon  wrote  these words in  the  Book  of  Ecclesiastes:  “Vanity  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity. I made me  great  works,  I built  me  houses  and  planted  vineyards. I made gardens  and  orchards  and  set  them  with  trees  of  all  kinds. I heaped together  for  myself  silver  and  gold. I made me  singing  men and singing  women. I surpassed in  riches  all  that  were  before  me  in Jerusalem; my  wisdom  also  remained  with  me. Whatsoever my  eyes desired, I refused  them  not; and  I withheld  not  my  heart  from  enjoying every pleasure. I saw in  all  things  vanity  and  vexation  of  mind. Fear God and  keep  His  Commandments,  for  this  is  all  man.”  By  these words he  meant  to  say:  “All  earthly  possessions  and  joys  are  passing and cannot  make  a man  really  happy. Only the  fear  and  love  of  God can bring  happiness  on  earth  and  joy  in  eternity.”  We  should  not therefore set  our  hearts  on  the  good  things  of  this  earth,  but  should strive with  all  our  hearts  after  those  which  are  eternal.

Means of  perseverance. He  who  desires  to  avoid  grievous  sin  and to persevere  to  the  end  in  what  is  right  must,  firstly,  refrain  from pleasure-seeking and  laxity;  secondly,  he  must  avoid  all  intercourse with bad  companions;  thirdly,  he  must  be  humble  and  pray  to  God for the  grace  of  final  perseverance; for  this  most  important  of  all  graces can be  obtained  only  by  prayer.

Solomon served  God  for  many  years  and  received the  gift  of  wisdom  from  Him; and  yet  how  deeply  he  fell!

Do you  desire  to  stand  fast  in  what  is  right? Then distrust yourself and  be  watchful. “Watch and  pray  that  you  enter  not into temptation.”  Pray  often  for  the  grace  of  perseverance.

FTER the  death  of  Solomon  all  the  people  of  Israel  came to Roboam,  his  son,  and  said: “Thy  father  laid  a grievous yoke upon  us,  do  thou  take  off  a little  of  his  most  heavy  yoke,